We regret to advise that Sapper Joseph Pierre Gilbert Matthieu Allard was killed in action on 1 August 2009, in the Zhari district, west of Kandahar City, Afghanistan at the age of 20. 

Matthieu was a Combat Engineer serving with 5^e Regiment du génie de combat in Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Valcartier, QC.  At the time of his death, he was serving with the 2^nd Battalion Royal 22^e Regiment Battle Group. He was born in Val-d’Or, QC and joined the Canadian Forces in 2007. After completing his Combat Engineer training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in CFB Gagetown, NB he was posted to 5^e Regiment du génie de combat. Matthieu was on his first operational deployment. and was killed when his resupply convoy was struck by two improvised explosive devices (IED).

A repatriation ceremony was held in CFB Trenton on 4 August.  Visitation will take place on 12 August from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Blais Funeral Home, 582 Centrale avenue, Val D'Or, QC.  A funeral service will take place at the Saint-Edmond-de-Vassan church in Vassan, QC on 13 August at 11:00 followed by an interment ceremony in the church cemetery.    ^{{gd/rtJan2017dc} [zcc]}